Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jan 2014
Source: Now, The (Surrey, CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenownewspaper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1462
Author: Tom Zytaruk

DELTA TO BAN MEDICAL MARIJUANA BUSINESS

DELTA - Delta is moving to prohibit growing, storage and sale of
medical marijuana within its boundaries.

Council has directed municipal staff to draft amendments to the Delta
Zoning Bylaw to prohibit "all aspects" of that industry in Delta,
including manufacturing and testing.

Any business wishing to establish such operations in Delta will have
to apply for site-specific zoning subject to council's approval.

Delta already prohibits the production of medical marijuana in
residential areas, Mayor Lois Jackson noted. This move, she added, is
concerned with farmland.

"It's inappropriate to have medical marijuana grown on agricultural
lands," Jackson said.

She said the land should be reserved for growing food.

"We're very concerned about the safety all the way around," she added,
"and the appropriateness of locations. We're being very cautious and
conscientious what's happening for our residents and
businesses."

"Other municipalities, of course, are looking at the same
question."

Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts noted said her city is also reviewing the
matter. "We've put some bylaws in place in terms of regulation and
criteria," she said, adding that processes will be put into place to
"make sure it's not a public safety issue."

Surrey is not looking at prohibiting all aspects of the medical
marijuana business like Delta is, though.

"We can't ban Health Canada from issuing a license," Watts said. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D